MAY 2019 | MANE RAIL & INFRASTRUCTURE | 5
RAIL WORK UPDATE
CROSSRAIL
The new route, to be known as the Elizabeth line was due to open in December 2018 but is experiencing delays, with Crossrail boss confirming the central section of Crossrail will not open in 2010 and that he “very much hopes” it will open in 2020.
One reason for the delay was due to having to integrate three different signalling systems, split between TFL, Crossrail and Network Rail. The delay is expected to cost TFL around £600m in revenue.
However, despite the delay, experts such as Mr Flyvberg say that the Crossrail project has been more successful than most big infrastructure projects. Crossrail says the new line will connect Paddington to Canary Wharf in 17 minutes and increase central London rail capacity by 10%, something many London commuters will extremely appreciate.
MIDLAND MAIN LINE
Network Rail and UK Department for Transport initiated the Midland Main Line improvement in 2014 which included electrification of the line, remodelling the stations, upgrading bridges and tunnels and clearing lineside vegetation.
The Department for Transport recently confirmed that it will extend the electrification of the Midland Main Line up to Market Harborough. Previous plans for the £1.5bn project saw electrification extend only as far as Kettering but it will now reach Leicestershire.
Between now and 2023 the MML will be electrified, have track and signals modernised, station platforms lengthened, bridges and tunnels remodelled and see new trains with more seating.
EAST WEST RAIL
East West Rail is a major project to establish a strategic railway connecting East Anglia with Central, Southern and Western England. Since December 2016, phase 1 of the western section, the segment from Oxford via Bicester Village to the junction with the Chiltern Main Line is operational.
The public inquiry for phase 2 (of the western section) began in February 2019. On 28 January 2019, the East West Railway Company announced a consultation exercise on five potential routes for the central section. All three sections of the plan are predicted to be complete by late 2023.